Skip to main content

DOE aims to utilize space technology for environmental protection

· 3 min read

DOE aims to utilize space technology for environmental protection​

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment and the Iranian Space Research Center (ISRC) have highlighted the need to use space technology to increase the accuracy and speed of environmental projects.

DOE aims to utilize space technology for environmental protection

During a Tuesday meeting, the DOE deputy head for biodiversity, Hamid Zohrabi, and the ISRC head, Vahid Yazdanian, discussed ways to develop cooperation between the two organizations.

Underscoring that the majority of DOE's missions are based on land observation and management, Zohrabi said remote sensing technologies and satellite images can significantly improve monitoring and surveying results.

The official noted that the protected areas under the supervision of the DOE cover 20 million hectares. Limited human resources and the fact that a large part of these areas is impassable have doubled the significance of utilizing modern technologies to monitor forest fires, sand and dust storms, wetlands, prevent land degradation, and manage crises more effectively.

For his part, Yazdanian announced the ISRC's readiness to foster specialized interactions with the DOE through signing a memorandum of understanding. Benefiting from the ISRC capacities will help enhance environmental monitoring, he further noted.

DOE highlights use of smart environmental protection systems

Given that traditional methods can no longer meet the needs of a fragile environment, the integration of smart technologies for environmental conservation seems inevitable, IRNA quoted Zohrabi as saying in January.

Environmental challenges have turned into crises. The rate of environmental damage, the population growth, the surge in natural hazards such as climate change, drought, sand and dust storms, and floods have made the use of smart and innovative technologies a necessity to save the planet.

Referring to frequent wildfires in the country’s forests, the official said the plans include holding specialized training courses on extinguishing wildfires in cooperation with local communities.

To make environmental protection smarter, the DOE has signed a memorandum of understanding with a knowledge-based company. Accordingly, the DOE will be equipped with a system that provides early warnings before a fire outbreak, the official added.

The official went on to say that the pilot plan to utilize modern technologies in environmental conservation dates back to the Iranian year 1397 (2018) in Golestan National Park. However, the plan was not implemented due to some problems.

Presently, the DOE focuses on knowledge-based and participatory biodiversity conservation approaches. Besides innovative technologies, local communities play a critical role in protecting the environment, the official stressed.

MT/MG

source: tehrantimes.com